On the Sea!

One of the things I noticed growing up was those I knew who had been to War, Korea, WWII never spoke of their time there. Even when asked, they usually just somehow kind of passed it off and never ended up saying much.


In the years since I served in Vietnam, I've found I do the same. Often I have asked myself, "Why?" I don't really know, but I've settled on the idea it's because civilians, who have never experienced combat can't really associate with what one is saying or sharing. I don't know that to be true, but just figured it to be true.


I have a friend, a sister-in-law to a service wife I've know for years. And when I posted some of the statistics about Vietnam casualties who are on the Vietnam Wall just prior to Pearl Harbor day she wrote and asked me why I posted it at that time. Don't ask me why, I don't know, but because of the type of person she is, I shared not only the why of the post, but went on to share a story from Vietnam. She understood, not just in her mind, but in her Heart. So, I want to share this email with you.


"I received that from my cousin who was also in the Navy and served during Vietnam. He said he hoped others would not just focus on Pearl Harbor tomorrow, but remember all the wars this nation has fought and the losses we’ve experienced in human lives. Did you know we’ve been in twelve different wars since we fought the British in the Revolutionary War? (Revolutionary War: 1775-1783; Indian Wars: 1780’s-1800; War of 1812: 1812-1815; Mexican War: 1846-1848; Civil War: 1861-1865; Spanish-American War: 1898; Philippine Insurrection: 1899-1902; WW I: 1917-1918; WW II: 1941-1945; Korean War: 1950-1953; Vietnam War: 1965-1973; Gulf War/Iraq: 1991--??)."


She also asked me if I'd served in Vietnam. My reply, "Yes, I served in Vietnam three different tours. The first in 1967, and the last when the peace accords were signed. If I may, I’ll share a story with you not many are aware of. Before I went over the second time, in the training for our new aircraft the A-7 several of us went through the training together. One was a gent named Phillip Clark. We called him Flip. While in training, he learned his wife had breast cancer. They fought it, but back then we didn’t have all the knowledge we have today, and so the day after Christmas of 1971 she passed away. They had two little kids, a daughter and son. We took care of them on weekends so he could spend time with his wife at the hospital. As a single parent, he could have certainly asked not to go to Vietnam, but he felt a strong commitment to serve his country as had his father."


"On Christmas Eve of 1972 our Carrier (Enterprise) had the day off, but we still always kept aircraft ready to launch in the event of emergencies. Just about dinner time we were called and told an aircraft had been shot down in the islands just south of Haiphong Harbor, and they sounded the alarm to launch the Rescap (Rescue Combat Air Patrol) aircraft. Another gent and I were on standby, ran up, and launched. We spent several hours looking for the pilot in the islands, but unfortunately did not find him. As darkness closed around us we angrily gave up our search and returned to Danang since our carrier was not operating."
 

"The next day, Christmas day 1972, we returned to the carrier. It was then during the debrief of our mission from the previous day I learned the downed pilot was Phillip “Flip” Spratt Clark Jr. My squadronmate who had lost his wife the previous year to cancer. Flip’s children were staying with their grandparents who ended up raising them. I’ve been to the Wall in D.C. and to the traveling wall three different times, and always go spend time with Flip. I think of the sacrifice of that family, of two little kids growing up, not only without parents, but really never knowing a lot about who their parents really were, what they believed, what their values were. Each year on Veteran’s day I’ve written letters to his hometown paper telling about his sacrifice. Never knew if they were published. That was before internet. And of course on Christmas Eve I try to spend a few moments, off to myself, remembering I’m with family, but his family is not with him and his wife."
 

"A few years back when they finally posted the names on the internet of all those on The Wall, I looked it up. There were a couple of omissions and one or two small errors for Flip, so I added a comment and corrected those. Two years ago I received a note from someone who had found my additions, and written because she wanted to know if there was more I could tell her about “her dad”. Shannon was in Northern Idaho visiting her “mom” grandmother, and came across the notes. Of course I wrote back, and we’ve remained in contact. Unfortunately she was headed back to Southern California the day we talked on the phone. Proudly, I learned her brother, Terry had gone into the Navy, and as did his father, went into aviation and became a Navy pilot, Terry flying F-14 Tomcats. Sadly, she also shared he’d been killed in an aircraft crash off Southern California in 1996. So while I very sincerely appreciate your thanks for my service, I feel just a little embarrassed in accepting when there are other families who have given so much more than I did. But I will accept the big bear hug, because when I think of Flip and his family I really need a hug."


"May I also say thanks to you, because without people like yourself, we who serve could not and would not do it. It’s folks like you who make it worthwhile, knowing you are here and acknowledge and appreciate what we as Americans have because others have served. Thank you very much, and God Bless you. Love to you and your family. VR. Mags"


It took awhile for a response to come back from my friend, but when I received it, I understood why the delay, "I never responded to the story you shared because I could not think of words to say...Christmas Eve is almost upon us and I wonder ... I wonder so many things... about you and about Shannon and her brother. The story haunts me. While I sit in church on Christmas Eve and again Christmas morn, I will remember...and whisper my thanks to your friend and hero and his wife...and I will continue to wonder..."


Thank you Lee. I wish there were more people like you in this world. People who do wonder about events, about life, about what happens and has happened to others. Thank you very much for asking me to share. I realize it is better having someone to share the loss of this family and that many more prayers for them is better than just mine. VR. Mags.

On the Sea!

On May 4, 1945, the USS Morrison, DD560, a U.S. Navy destroyer was on duty at Radar Picket Station No. 1 just off Okinawa. Early that morning, she was hit by four Japanese kamikaze aircraft. The ship sank so quickly only one crew member from below decks is documented as having escaped and survived. One hundred fifty-five other Navy men lost their lives. One of those men who was listed as MIA (Missing In Action) was Frederick Arthur Raycraft, WT3, USNR. Petty Officer Third Class Raycraft was born in 1917 to the George William Raycraft family of Bend, Oregon. He was the eighth of nine children born to George and Florence Raycraft. His younger brother Charles died and was interred in Bend in 2003.  Petty Officer Raycraft's name is on a Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

We've had a couple of tupperware buckets full of old pictures around the house for more years than I want to say.  Actually, it's since my dad passed away in 1994.  One bucket was pictures my mom had saved from her mother and father's collection when they passed away.  The other one was from mom and dad's closet and friends and family they had. I've been working on scanning in these photos, cleaning them up, trying to see who is who and putting captions on them.  I got all of my grandparent's albums scanned and loaded onto the family website in September 2010. 

This past week, Deb sat me down and handed me the bucket from my folk's closet.  So, first I sorted them by family groups, with the hope that after they have been scanned in I can take them to the family picnic this July and return them to the appropriate families to be distributed.  Keep in mind some of these photos go back nearly one hundred years. One of the photos was a U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class.  On the back of the photo, written in pencil was the following, "Fred Raycraft, missing in action Christmas 1945."  Not a lot to go on.  I won't bore you with the details of the search, but after some digging, I was able to determine Water Tender Third Class (WT3) Frederick Arthur Raycraft, from Bend, Oregon was aboard the USS Morrison DD-560 and was one of the one-hundred fifty-five sailors lost that day. 

Fred was born to George William and Florence O. Raycraft in 1917, the eighth of nine children.  They lived on Kingston Street in Bend, and a couple of the family members worked for Shevlin-Hixson Company there.  I was able to find out the parents and the youngest brother's funerals were conducted by Niswonger Reynolds Funeral Home in Bend.  It's still there.  I've mailed a copy of the story along with Fred's photo to Pastor Jim Carmichael with the funeral home and asked him to try to get the photo back to family members.  It's the least one can do for someone who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.  Fred, it's sixty-six years after the fact, but I salute you. Thank you for your sacrifice to this country, and those of us who live here.  VR.

It's Not Always Just About Us.

Next Monday I'll be getting on the road to ride the bike over to Wilder, Idaho.  Not a long trip mileage wise, but a long trip in that it will bring together a family, and photos of their ancestors from ninty-three years ago. 

On October 10th, 2010 we uploaded 105 photos we had scanned in from my maternal grandmother's family photos and put them into an album on our Family Tree Website. One of the photos was captioned, "1918 in Almira, Washington." On the back of that photo my grandmother had identified the fourth gent in from the left as Wellborn. The corner was torn off the picture, so we didn't have a first name. Doing a little research on a website called Find A Grave, we eventually found a grave in the Almira, Washington Cemetery belonging to a John Leonard Welborn. It showed DOB as 17 Sep 1885 and DOD as 30 Sep 1935, but that was it. Continuing to search, we then found a cemetery transcription on Interment.net. There, John Leonard Welborn with same dates of birth and death had the following additional information: "WWI, Co F Inf"


So back to the photo album--there were several photos of WWI Army members from Company F out of Camp Lewis (what subsequently became Fort Lewis and is now Lewis McChord). We knew John wasn't a family member, but apparently he and several of the other people from some of the camping pictures in the album were friends of my grandmother's family and friends. We then began a search online to see if we could find anyone researching John Leonard Welborn or who had him in their family tree. We found a public tree with John in it. I used Ancestry.com to send a message to the gent maintaining the tree to find out if this was a relative of his. The tree owner, of Reno, Nevada wrote back to let us know John Leonard Welborn was a brother to his grandmother--his grand uncle.

As we've scanned in all the photos and have them in digital format on the hard drive and also backed up on another drive, we offered him the original copies of all the photos with the soldiers/gents in uniform in them. To say the least, he was very pleased and will make sure they get to the appropriate family members. It turns out he and his wife are headed to Eastern Washington to visit next week. I will meet them in Wilder, Idaho as they travel north and be able to personally hand him these photos. What a great feeling it is to know that we've had these photos in our family for ninty-three years and they are finally getting returned to family members of the individual. So, while building the tree, and learning about our own family is really an inspiration and great experience, it's deeply gratifying to know that it isn't just about us. Sometimes we are able to help others discover their roots as well. Life is truly GREAT when that occurs.

Last year while Deb and I were On the Road following the University of Idaho Lacrosse Team we stayed with friends who were our neighbors when we lived in Lemoore, California.  They are "Real" friends, like family.  Today, they sent the following to me.  I'd like to share it with you.



A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.

A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Have a seat. Relax . . .

And read this slowly.

I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe....
That no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe....
That it's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
Loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe....
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe....
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs
to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe....
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe....
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry
I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe....
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them and less to do with how many
birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe....
That it isn't always enough,
to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe....
That our background and circumstances
may have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe....
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
Hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give,
When a friend cries out to you -
you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall
do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life
are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
That you should share this with
all of the people that you believe in, I just did.
The happiest of people don't necessarily
have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.
~Anon

Grandson's Can Drive a Point Home

Twice a week, my youngest grandson comes over to spend the morning with 'Papa' while mama works.  Often we go upstairs to the office, he watches the Mickey Mouse Club House Show and Papa works on Genealogy on the computer. 

So we are sitting there tuned into the Mickey Mouse show and they are playing their little song, and I start singing along with it, "Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog!"  Tate looks up and says "Papa don't sing that!"  A little surprised, I said, "Hey, I can sing that, it's Tater's Song." 

He immediately corrects me and says, "No Papa, my song 'Walkin' the Floor over You!' " 

Well, Papa on occassion has been known to sing that one too, but until then didn't know Tate had been paying attention.  So, I told his mom about it when she came to pick him up.  She laughed and said the other day he was playing in his room and she heard him singing and went over to listen, "I'm walkin the floor over you, ..." 

Guess you have to be very careful about what you say and sing.  You never know when they are paying attention and what they will take home with them!  8-)

Life is Great...especially when you least expect it!!!!!

Over the years we've tried to faithfully follow the kids sports, even when it requires travel.  Of course, as would be expected, it was usually chasing after the boys, Matt and Kreig, other than when Erin was in High School in swimming.  So it's been a few years since we've got to spend time with her sports. 

This year, her fiance encouraged her to try out for the University of Idaho, Vandal Women's Hockey Team and she did.  This past weekend we were fortunate to have an opportunity to get "On the Road" and drive up to McCall, Idaho (two hours North of Boise) and watch the Vandal Ladies play in the Chix on Stix Tournament.  Over 13 teams from around the region played and it was more than worth the drive.  As we already had a Saturday morning commitment in Boise, we missed the game Friday nite, but were able to see two games on Saturday. 

We don't know a great deal about hockey, but having followed Lacrosse over the last ten years (there are lots of similarities) we were able to at least follow the game, even if we didn't always understand the calls.  The skill levels in the players varied from recent addees to seasoned (some of these "Chix" were clearly in their mid forties or beyond), and the key was everyone was having fun, and wanted to be there. It was so enjoyable. 

To top it off, Erin's next younger brother, his wife and nearly four year old son came up for the game as well.  Erin's fiance Chris coaches the team, and we got to spend time with him too.  The Team graciously invited us old codgers to dinner with them at a restaurant named Lardo's which had great old west atmosphere, and an incredible menu and great food.  We had a fun evening and were rested enough after dinner to enjoy the ten p.m. game, their final of the day.  All in all it was a great weekend and a chance to get much of the family together at least for a few hours.

We got up this morning, had a great continental breakfast at the Best Western McCall, and checked out heading for home about eleven.  In spite of snow on Saturday evening late, Sunday morning dawned only partly cloudy, beautiful blue skies, and gorgeous portrait like landscapes with the winter snow still in place (McCall is at 5,000 feet).  By eleven the sun had melted last night's snow off the roads and they were dry and dusty for the ride home.

Since we were going to McCall, we had no choice but to take Hwy 55.  I say this, because we always travel Hwy 55 when we go North, even if going to Lewiston, Moscow, Coeur d'Alene or other locations.  Many people complain about the road being too winding and curvy, and "treacherous" to drive.  So they often speak of going up Hwy 95 (an extra 25 miles) or even to Pasco, WA and Hwy 395 (an extra 47 miles).  There is no way we would pass up the beautiful scenry along Hwy 55 and the Payette River, especially in the winter.  And the opportunity to see wildlife is ever present.

On the way home today, just North of Smith's Ferry, the Payette turns from a narrow, rushing white water stream, and flattens out around Smith's Ferry for four to five miles before starting down the gorge again.  As we approached I slowed down, and then pulled over to get pictures of the ice breaking up from the river and opening for the spring.  I've attached a couple of shots Deb took.  Not only is the river gorgeous, but the large rocks left behind from the ice age are snow and ice covered and just spectacular.  As we came to a stop in the pull-out, and Deb was stepping out of the car with her camera, I hear this excited voice, "Mike!  Is that a bald eagle?"  I'm looking around and asking her where she's looking.  "No, I just heard one!", she exclaimed.  So, with both of us listening we began scanning the sky around this beautiful bend in the river where the water is opening up for the year. 

Sure enough, over behind me, I hear the distinctive screech of a bald eagle.  And, immediately turning, see this beautiful mature creature soar across the road behind the car, just above the tree tops.  He goes behind the trees across the road from us, and we scan to the next opening to see him appear again.  Not only does he appear, but along with him is this larger, mature bald eagle -- his mate.  God's creations are all beautiful, but I think there is nothing in this world more beautiful than our national bird, the bald eagle.  To see them in the wild is the crowning blessing.  We must have watched for at least five or ten minutes as they soared around the area.  No doubt, they were watching the opening river area for fish.  While Cascade Lake had not opened up yet, this piece of the river is shallower, and slower, and clearer -- a perfect spot to be watching as a food source. 

Every day that I go up to The Peregrine Fund's Birds of Prey Center to volunteer, I take time to visit with my favorite educational bird, our Bald Eagle on loan from U.S. Fish and Game.  She will never again fly in the wild having damaged a wing shortly after she fledged from the nest.  So to see these beautiful, free flying creatures in their natural setting is truly a blessing.  Yes, Life really and truly is GREAT!!!!!  V.R. Mags

Family and Friends

Taking time with your best friend always seems so much more fun than "...taking time with your spouse" -- Right?  That's what makes it so neat when your spouse is your best friend!  Three weeks ago, Deb worked a short day, and then had Friday, the weekend and the following Monday off from work.  Since nearly all of my family is in the Puget Sound area, she suggested we take off after work Thursday and head over to the coast.  It proved to be an opportunity to accomplish some necessary arrangements for our daughter Erin and her fiance Chris's wedding in September, to see some very special family members, and also to get time with some friends who are really like family.  But the best part was we had a great time together.  Now how many married folks can say that about a couple of nine hour drives together, and four nights on the road together constantly.
Turned out the weather was great for us, and as always, Deb had her camera ever ready for the trip.  We didn't get photo's of everything we wanted, but more on that later. Since we left later in the day on Thursday, we made reservations for a motel in The Dalles.  Weather over the Blues was a little drizzley but not bad.  We made it to the Dalles before dark.  One of the things we always watch for is game along the road.  It's just who we are as a family.  And of course, we were not disappointed.  Saw deer out of Caldwell and Ontario.  However, the real treat was the big horned sheep we were fortunate to see.  I dare say there are folks who travel across I-84 several times a year and don't even realize they are along the south side of the road between Blaylock Canyon and the John Day River.  We stumbled on to them quite by accident a few years back when we were headed to the coast.  Our daughter Erin, the Wildlife Resources Management expert and Tree Hugger Extraordinaire suddenly exclaimed, "I just saw a big horned sheep!"  I am embarrassed to say, I doubted she knew what she had seen.  But we started watching, and sure enough saw more. 
We've since learned they winter over on the south side of the freeway, below the cliffs along the river.  So, Deb and I were fortunate to spot three different groups of them this time across.  Probably saw a total of about forty to fifty in all.  The first group had some rams, and the other two groups were all ewes.  What an incredible opportunity.  We stopped, and took a couple of quick pictures.  The problem is right along that particular part of the road the pull-off puts the passenger door right against the guard rail and leaves about two feet max from the driver door to the outside lane.  Not exactly where you want to jump out and be taking photos with all the semi traffic.  But still, what a great delight and privilege.  We made it to the Dalles, and before checking in ran down to one of our favorite Mexican food places and had a great dinner, and bloody mary and ice cold beer.  Then in for the night.
After a leisurely get up, and a very "continental" breakfast at the motel it was back on the road.  We tried through several texts and phone calls to set up a lunch with two of our nieces in the Portland area, but they both work, and work about 35 miles apart so it was next to impossible to find a place where both could meet for the hour they had.  Plus our one niece cannot drive for medical reasons.  We ended up picking her up and going to lunch.  It was a short visit, and since our grand niece was in school missed seeing her.  After lunch and a quick catch-up on the 'Oregon Shaws' we were back on the road for Centralia, Washington. 
Our daughter-in-law is co-owner of the Centralia Deli and BBQ.  She is going to cater the wedding.  Oh, didn't mention, the wedding will be on the "beach" at Kalaloch, Washington.  So, we have some cabins, and Debbie our d-i-l is taking care of the food and cake set-up.  She is one amazing lady, and of course had several great ideas.  It's one less thing Erin and Deb will have to fret over. Plus, we know how dependable she is, and that everything will be done just right.  After a couple of hours talking wedding plans, we ran to the outlet mall and then came back by for dinner.  Debbie let us stay at her house for the night, and so we entertained her little puppy Sophie.  The next morning it was back to the Deli for breakfast, then on the road to Puyallup. 
My cousin Janet "SweetPea" was diagnosed with throat cancer late last summer and told to get her affairs in order.  I went to see her in September, and got the typical Shaw greeting, "What, you think I'm going to die so you rush over here to see me!"  Told her I'd also come over to see my Aunt and attend a High School Class Luncheon, and that it, "...wasn't always about her!"  I'm glad she's still here and as feisty as ever.  Since I never had any female siblings SweetPea is really like a sister to me.  We were fortunate a couple of her daughters were there that day as well, and then one of our cousins popped in, so it was a great afternoon. When you live so far from family, you really value such an opportunity.
Late afternoon we ran "up the hill" to Edgewood where my mom's only sister lives by herself at the young age of 91 years.  "Honey" as I named her when I was very young is in fact just that.  Such a sweet, loving and caring person.  On that side of the family she is The Matriarch.  As neat as that is, it also means she is the last one to have all the memories of her generation and the ones befor.  Deb and I spent some time seeing the remodeling that had been done to her home, and then we all went up to her favorite Mexican Restaurant in Edgewood for dinner.  While the meal was great, as usual, the best part was for dessert we returned to her house and enjoyed a little over three hours of consuming memories and memorabilia from her still very alert mind, and personal archives.  How precious that is.  And, when Honey is gone, so will be all these beautiful mental treasures.  Every time we visit I try to record and capture as much as is possible knowing that valuable asset will not always be there to question. She is so precious, and thankfully, still very alert and blessed with a great memory.
We sadly told her good nite and headed to a motel in Federal Way.  We slept in, had a leisurely breakfast at the motel, along with a girls' swim team.  8-)  It's fun to see young people who are so well behaved and share so much team spirit together. 
From there it was back on the road for a short trip up toward our friends home.  They are like family.  Deb lived with them some time when she was in the Navy.  They recently moved to the NW when Mike took a job with Boeing to work on the new 747-8.  Of course, being playoff, we watched our beloved Green Bay Packers advance to the Super Bowl.  We also got to see their new toy, a Harley Ultra-Trike.  It is so beautiful.  Maybe down the road, but for now I have Rex's Softtail, and that means a great deal.
We had a beautiful return home on Monday, and I did promise to tell you about a picture we didn't get.  Deb was driving, we were coming down out of the Blues toward La Grande.  Nearing the bottom of the hill we had just passed a Semi and were in the inside lane.  In the median was an elk carcass, and sitting on it feeding were two mature bald eagles.  Unfortunately, we were unable to pull over with the truck right there.  What a fantastic sight though.  We felt blessed just seeing such a beautiful sight. 
Once again, we had so much joy from being on the road, and what made it so special was sharing it with each of our best friends in life.

Life is SO Great!!!!!

This week our first daughter-in-law is On The Road.  She went down to San Diego to be with her son (our first grandson) and her daughter-in-law.  Tonight she was blessed with seeing her first grand child, a baby girl weighing in at eight pounds three ounces -- Miss Ava Grace Slemp.  Adam and Alexis, parents are doing well, and the grandparents are also doing well.  We know Rex is watching too.
The birth of a child is a wonderous and spiritual thing.  It is God's blessing on us that we are worthy of still trying to perfect human kind.  It is a miracle that such a little life began nine months ago, and within the womb has developed and grown to be the perfect image of it's parents.  The little tiny fingers have nails, along with little creases and wrinkles.  There are eyelashes on those beautiful eyes, and the little feet and toes are such precious representations of adults but in miniature.  Life is so precious and delicate, while at the same time such a demonstration of strength and endurance. 
We can only wonder and hope about who and what this beautiful little girl will be someday, but today, this evening, she is the greatest miracle known to mankind.  She knows no hate, no prejudice, no anger, only a need for love, human warmth and a mother's milk.  We thank God for her safe arrival, and for her mother's good health.  We ask your prayers over her as she grows, and ask for those same prayers for her mom and dad as they find their way as new parents.  The one thing we know she will have--a great deal of love. 
Oh, and thanks so much for allowing Deb and me to become Great Grandparents.  We are very proud!

To One of this Nation's Heros

In January 2001 I drove 1775 miles from Neenah, Wisconsin to take a new job in Nampa, Idaho.  Shortly after arriving, found out I had a couple of new Quality Engineers hired by the company.  One was a salty olde dog, former Navy, gruff on the outside, but I was soon to learn with a heart of Gold on the inside, and a man to be admired.  From that day Ed LePard has had a significant impact on my life as a true friend. In the sixties, Ed was a member of a Seal Team in Vietnam.  Clearly most of his work for his country, if not all will never be told, but he eventually returned to the states after taking a claymore mine in the face while on a patrol.  After weeks in the hospital, and considerable face reconstruction, he came out of it and was determined to continue making a go at life and contributing to this nation.  Unfortunately, he and his wife split up, but he over came the challenge of a divorce.  Taking his Navy education money, he went back to school and became an engineer.  He subsequently learned he had cancer, and as with his time and tragedy in Vietnam, rolled with the punches, fought back and overcame his cancer.  The great news is while in the hospital in Bethesda he bought a lottery ticket on a whim and hit the lottery.  After establishing education funds for his grandkids he went back to work and continued to become a successful quality engineer in the electronic field.  During that time, Ed applied for and received several patents, adding to the benefit of the electronics industry, and contributing to society in yet another way beside his service in the military.  When I was fortunate enough to meet Ed, we were working together on a team of individuals trying to save a failing electronics company.  We actually had the bottom line turned into the black for about three months when the tragedy of 9/11 struck.  The economy tanked, the electronics industry dried up, and subsequently we were both out of a job.  Once again, Ed didn't let it get him down.  He moved to Montana for awhile with the hopes of opening a fishing lodge. Unfortunately, the environmental folks wouldn't approve building on the location, or the business and so Ed moved on.  By then, he was old enough to consider just taking retirement.  He moved back to Pennsylvania with his Old English Sheep dog Heidi and the two of them set up house together in Carlisle.  Not long after that Ed called and let me know Heidi had cancer and they had amputated one leg.  With just three legs she didn't get around well, but Ed would take her for rides in the new Dodge Ram truck he bought just before leaving Idaho. Ed and his family weren't close, and I tried on numerous occassions to talk him into returning to Idaho where we could just be a couple of olde retired guys hanging out together.  But, his daughter and grandson were in that area and he had hopes of reestablishing family ties someday.  In the fall of 2008 Ed had a stroke and once again was challenged beyond what the vast majority of any of us ever are.  But, in the same old manner, he fought back, got out of the hospital, moved to a nursing home, and subsequently managed to get enough mobility that they allowed him to return home.  Being alone, it was clearly tough, there wasn't anyone there to pick-up a dropped dish, or help with his shoes and socks in the morning, but Ed faced it and won.  Then he had another stroke and went back into the hospital.  I was able to take a 5000 mile bike trip in the summer of 2009.  Saw lots of family and friends along the way, but my trip ended up at Ed's house.  I was only there for three nights, but I went to the hospital every day, and we were able to share lies, swap stories, and talk Navy.  It was some of the best three days of my life.  Just seeing the smile on his face and watching his eyes light up because it was someone new to talk to was the greatest reward of all.  In addition to the Navy, another love we shared was for a good scotch.  And of course, I drank his scotch.  The doctor wouldn't let him have any alcohol. But, he made sure I'd found where he kept it so I could have some when I went back to the house at night. Now on my budget a good scotch is on occasion a Johnny Walker Green Label.  However, after winning the lottery, Ed said the one thing he promised himself was he'd drink nothing but the best scotches.  His everyday, around the house sipping whiskey was Johnny Walker White Label.  I love Ed for who he was, but gotta say, it was no bad deal being offered White Label anytime I went to visit him.  Of course, good scotch is only half the fortune.  The other half was seeing the relics from wars gone by Ed had collected and displayed in his home along with numerous stories he had to share from his personal experiences.  How I loved just sitting sipping his 'good stuff' and hearing his 'great stories.'  I remember when he called me just before Thanksgiving that same year and told me he was doing the holidays with his daughter and grandson.  It is impossible for me to describe the joy I heard in his voice as he told me about looking forward to sharing time with his family.  I don't have any idea what happened or why he and his family were estranged, but I do know how much it meant for him to get back with them for that holiday.  After the visit his call was just as filled with the excitement of having seen his grand. I was so happy for him and hoped it would increase in frequency, but it didn't seem to happen. Ed was very fortunate to have a good friend and neighbor, Bill Piekos who looked in on him, helped get him groceries, picked him up on weekends and took him out for drives, and often invited Ed to the house for holidays.  People like that are precious few, and worth so much.  Without family, Bill became like family to Ed.  I'm just glad Bill was there for Ed and cared enough about another human being to look in on and after him as much as he did. On January 6th, Bill wrote to say Ed had gone into the hospital again, and tho he was stable was likely going to be there some time.   I called the hospital a couple days later, but the nurse said Ed was unable to talk.  On January 11th, Bill emailed again to let me know they were taking Ed off the ventilator and stopping all medicines except for morphine to manage the pain.  Bill called Ed's daughter to see if she wanted to be with him at the end, but time was not ample enough for her to get there in time.  That evening Ed passed at 2025 Eastern time--only Bill was there with him. So not to take from the tragic shooting in Arizona, but we had politicians lining up to go down there and make speeches and talk about how sad it is, and it truly was.  But it's also sad that here we had a Navy veteran who but for the love and kindness of Bill Piekos would have died alone, after everything he's done for this country, both as a military member and a civilian. I guess there's just no political advantage in recognizing this one lone sailor.  But Ed isn't alone, there are a number of soldiers, marines and sailors giving their lives every day for this nation, and half the time, in half the cities throughout this country no one even knows who they are or from whence they came. Where are our values?  How can we accept all the freedoms and privileges we have because of these people, but then leave them to die by themselves, unacknowledged?  What happened to what's really important?  It seems the only thing the majority values anymore are votes, and what someone else can do for them.  Ed, I know the members of your Seal Team haven't forgotten you!  When I called your Team member Dennis, he made sure word was passed to several other team members.  Ed you are part of a very elite brotherhood, and do not go alone and unrecognized from them.  To every member of those Seal Teams, thank you for what you do, that we never hear or know about. Thank you for the family you have among yourselves.  And Ed, thank you for letting me be your friend, and share in your life just a little bit.  VR, Mags